The new Red Bull driver, freshly promoted as announced earlier this week, admitted that he was actually rooting wholeheartedly for the seven-time world champion during the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, when Max Verstappen, taking advantage of Nicholas Latifi’s crash and Michael Masi’s decision to allow one final flying lap, snatched the title from Hamilton in a dramatic last-lap turnaround.

“I was alone in my room,” Hadjar told the Red Flags podcast, recalling how he reacted to the controversial Abu Dhabi finale four years ago. “I was all in for Lewis! No cameras, no mic, just me in front of my screen, smashing the TV, and that’s it.

One of the biggest stories of the week leading into the Abu Dhabi weekend was Hadjar’s promotion to Red Bull alongside Verstappen, with Arvid Lindblad set to take his seat at Red Bull Racing Junior Team, leaving Yuki Tsunoda without a seat for next season.

The Frenchman enjoyed an impressive rookie campaign this year, earning both respect and applause from Hamilton, who offered him some advice ahead of a season that promises to be crucial for his still-young career.